The global aviation industry and countries around the world are finding more
common ground to set goals to battle long-term climate change, the head of the
International Air Transport Association said Saturday.
Late Friday, the International Civil Aviation Organization, a body
representing nearly 200 countries on aviation issues, for the first time issued
a declaration with targets for cutting the amount of harmful emissions that the
aviation industry puts into the air.
In a conference call from Montreal, IATA Chief Executive Giovanni Bisignani
said the results were better than he had expected when the diverse group began
its meeting Thursday, although there is still a gap in the goals of industry and
governments.
The civil-aviation organization said Friday that it wants the aviation
industry to achieve annual average aircraft fuel efficiency of 2% per year to
2020, with an "aspirational goal" of an additional 2% annual improvement through
2050.
In 2007, IATA had announced its current goal for 1.5% fuel-efficiency
improvement to 2020, with carbon-neutral growth after that, leading to a 50% net
reduction in carbon emissions by 2050, as compared to 2005 emissions.
There is nothing aspirational about the plan by IATA, Mr. Bisignani said. All
industry players -- including the airline members of IATA, aircraft
manufacturers, airports and navigation organizations -- have agreed that the
technology exists now to meet the stated targets.
Mr. Bisignani said the aviation industry is unique among businesses because
it has set tough global climate-change standards for itself ahead of government
decisions. He plans to meet Monday with United Nations Secretary-General Ban
Ki-moon to press the IATA agenda. "Our industry can be a role model for other
industries to follow," he said.
Mr. Bisignani said the declaration by the civil-aviation group will help form
a framework for discussions at the U.N.'s meeting on climate control in
Copenhagen in December.
Governments world-wide can help make greater cuts in emissions by encouraging
development of biofuels and updating air traffic systems, he said. There is
proven technology for biofuels that produce less harmful emissions and save
energy resources. So far, however, there haven't been any government incentives
to spur production.
Global standards for emissions reduction are difficult for countries to agree
on. Mr. Bisignani said it is important to give countries enough time to meet
their goals.
By Ann Keeton
Subscribe